2010 Executive Journey Fellowship

Our Upcoming Retreat at Pokagon State Park

Hello 2011 Executives!

Our final retreat is fast approaching and we are looking forward to celebrating our time together!  There are some logistics and details we wanted to make you aware of. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us!

Three Things To Do (and the details all below)

1 – Take the Strengths Finder online assessment and email your top five strengths (in order) to Melinda  ASAP  (See details at the bottom of this email)

2 – Make arrangements to absentee vote or vote before you take off on Tuesday (it is election day)

3 – Contact Melinda if you want to pay to stay over on Monday night by email or at 317-875-5756

 

The Details:

Location:        

Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park

6 Lane 100A Lake James
Angola, IN 46703

Phone: (260) 833-1077

Website: http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/inns/potawatomi/

Date:                     Tuesday, November 8 – Thursday, November 10

Start Time:          Nov. 8 @  10:00am

End Time:            Nov. 10 @ 3:00pm

Monday Option: There is always the option to arrive Monday night. However, you will be responsible for paying for that extra night. Room rates are approximately $80/night. If you’re interested, please email or call Melinda ASAP. Please indicate whether you’ll be staying solo or sharing a room with someone for Monday evening.

Directions: Below are directions provided by Potawatomi Inn.

 

From the South:

Drive North on I-69

Exit on IN-120/IN-127 (exit 154) to Orland/Fremont

Turn left at N IN-127

Turn left at IN-727

Turn right at Lane 100 Lake James

Watch for Potawatomi Inn

 

From the North/West:

Drive East on I-80/I-90

Merge onto I-69 South/US-27 South

Exit onto IN-727/IN-127 exit 154 to Angola/Pokagon State Park

Turn right at IN-727

Turn right at Lane 100 Lake James

Watch for Potawatomi Inn

 

What to bring:

• Your journal
• Your Strengths Finder 2.0 Book AND your printed report

• Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (Could be COLD, could be WARM)
• Your swimsuit for the indoor pool or hot tub
• If you have resources you want to give away or share with the rest of us, we'll set up a table for those
• Your unique wonderful self

 

 

The Journey Crew

 

---

About the Strengths Finder…

 

Remember those Strengths Finder 2.0 books we passed out? 

 

As part of our ongoing work to ground ourselves in who we really are as people, we will be using the Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0.  You might be familiar with it or might have taken the assessment already -- it is associated with the popular books Now Discover Your Strengths and Strengths Finder 2.0.  (If you have previously used this assessment and already have your personal results, please email us and we will figure out if you need to take it again or if we can use the results you already have).

 

In preparation for the retreat, please do the following:

 

1. Go online to www.strengthsfinder.com.   Click the link that reads: "click here to access StrengthsFinder 2.0 if you have an access code from the book..."

 

Use your unique access code (which is found in the back of your book in the attached paper envelope) to set up an account with an email and password (this way you can access your results and reports in the future).

 

            Then take the survey.  The process should take 30-60 minutes, so allot yourself some time to do it uninterrupted.

 

1. After scanning/reading your personal results, SAVE the PDF you access by clicking "Your Personalized Guide" from the main menu, which is the "Strengths Discovery and Action Planning Guide"

 

1. ...you'll know it's the right form because it contains your talents and their descriptions, as well as action steps for you to possibly take with each one

 

1. EMAIL your top five strengths from the assessment (in order) to Melinda "at" thejourneyonline.org

 

1. If at all possible, PRINT a copy of that report to bring with you to the retreat (mine was 17 pages long)

 

1. Email Tom is you have any questions about the assessment.

 

August Retreat Information

Hello 2010 Trailblazers,

Most Hoosiers know it’s August because it’s “back to school” or The Indiana State Fair has started.

I know it’s August because…it’s time for our third retreat!   Hooray!  And I know it’s just in time for many of you.

Soon we will all be together again on the Journey to practice new ways of “Being”:  being ourselves, being with each other, and being on a journey together. During this retreat, we will focus on a theme of BE-ing instead of DO-ing. We will continue to explore WHO we are as executives, leaders, people etc. and how that matters in a world that rewards busy-ness.

We'll have a guest or two, including Andy Munoz, visiting professor from the University of Pittsburg as well as other Journey Fellows.

If you are planning on arriving on Monday night and staying on your own dime ($60), you simply need to

Contact Ann Burgen at Country Lakes at 812-294-4789 and let her know you’re coming.  You can pay when you arrive.  Also, please email me so we can know to expect you too (tom@thejourneyonline.org)

[I also wanted to mention that today (Friday) is Joy’s last official day with The Journey.  As most of you know, she is seeking out work without so much travel and time away from her little one.  She’ll be around a little bit, helping transition in Lindsey, whom you’ll meet at the retreat.  You can send her your  well wishes at her Journey email for the next couple of weeks].

Here are the rest of the retreat details for your leisure reading:

RETREAT THEME: "BE-ing" on the Journey

Activities might just include:

-- wine tasting at a local winery

-- connecting about our renewal plans

--clearness committees

-- visiting the Old Finn Homestead

-- walking in the woods

--talking about our strengths

-- conversation and song around a bonfire

 

TIMES:

 

Start: 10:00 AM EST Tuesday August 17th

End:   3:00 PM EST Thursday, April 19th

(NOTE: Underwood, IN is on the same time as Indianapolis.)

 

LOCATION:

Country Lake Christian Retreat Center

815 Country Lake Road

Underwood, IN 47144

(The Retreat Center is located just 20 miles North of Louisville, off of I-65).

Phone: 812-294-4789
Fax: 812-294-4790

Website: http://www.southeastchristian.org/countrylake/index.aspx

Facility Pictures: http://www.southeastchristian.org/countrylake/facilities.aspx?id=3774

 

PREPARATION AND WHAT TO BRING:

 

1) As usual…here’s encouragement to get done whatever you need to get off your plate, in order to (a) be present fully at the retreat AND (b) have an easier return post-retreat

2) Weather allowing, we will be spending time outdoors in both day and evening hours, so bring appropriate jackets, shorts, layers, etc for unpredictable Indiana weather.  Also bring swim gear and towels in case you might want to canoe or swim in the lake (there will be time).  No formal dress is necessary or appropriate for this retreat. J

3) Strengths Finder 2.0. Remember, per the last email to take the assessment and, after receiving your personal results, SAVE the PDF and email to tom@thejourneyonline.org NO LATER THAN next Tuesday.  Print out a copy of your report and bring to the retreat.

4)  The Clearness Committee.  Remember to review the article by Parker Palmer and think about if you might want to be the focus person in your own clearness committee.  We’ll talk about it further on our first day.

5) Other Packing Reminders

___your folding chair

___your journal

___your notebook

___yourself

___maybe a CD player or IPOD

___a print out of your StrengthsFinder Discovery Guide (as mentioned above)

___swimsuit and towel (if desired)

___fishing pole and gear (if desired, for lake fishing)

___your guitar and songbook if you have been playing (you know who you are)

Watch your email later next week and the Monday of our retreat for last minute instructions, a piece of homework or answers to your questions.  Email me (tom) with any questions.

Pre August Check In

[This is a copy of the check-in email originally sent out July 9, 2010]

It’s a little over a month before we are finally together again.  More about that retreat to come in future email.

In the meantime, we want to remind you of a few items in preparation for that retreat

1 – Remember those Strengths Finder 2.0 books we passed out? 

As part of our ongoing work to ground ourselves in who we really are as people, we will be using the Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0.  You might be familiar with it or might have taken the assessment already -- it is associated with the popular books Now Discover Your Strengths and Strengths Finder 2.0.  (If you have previously used this assessment and already have your personal results, please email us and we will figure out if you need to take it again or if we can use the results you already have).

In preparation for the retreat, please do the following:

• Go online to www.strengthsfinder.com.   Click the link that reads: "click here to access StrengthsFinder 2.0 if you have an access code from the book..."

Use your unique access code (which is found in the back of your book in the attached paper envelope) to set up an account with an email and password (this way you can access your results and reports in the future).

Then take the survey.  The process should take 30-60 minutes, so allot yourself some time to do it uninterrupted.

• After scanning/reading your personal results, SAVE the PDF you access by clicking "Your Personalized Guide" from the main menu, which is the "Strengths Discovery and Action Planning Guide"
• ...you'll know it's the right form because it contains your talents and their descriptions, as well as action steps for you to possibly take with each one
• EMAIL that PDF to Tom and Joy at tom@thejourneyonline.org and joy@thejourneyonline.org
• If at all possible, PRINT a copy of that report to bring with you to the retreat (mine was 17 pages long)
• Email or call Tom with questions (his cell is 317-698-4411)

2 – At our next retreat, we will also be working with clearness committees as a way to both become familiar with the process AND give 5 or 6 of you a chance to be focus people with your own committee – a chance to get clarity on something you have been experiencing or something you have been thinking about for your future.  We have attached a short piece by our colleague Parker Palmer that might give you more insight and background about this process.  Please read it at your leisure in preparation for the retreat…and be thinking if a clearness committee could serve you at the retreat.  We’d love to “help.”  J

3 – I’ve started a more general “what’s happening” blog (sorry, no Roz).  Check it out at http://renewal.typepad.com/thejourney/

About our Turkey Run Retreat

Hello Journey Fellows,

 As for last week week: snow, hail, rain, sun, wind…all on a spring week in Indiana.

 Thank goodness our retreat is fast approaching (Woo hoo).

 Maybe you’d like to connect with some of the people I know (and you do too) who…

 

§         are learning to eat healthy

§        are changing their exercise habits

§         are getting into the habits of taking time out each day

§         have survived making difficult staff changes

§         are learning to play guitar

§         are making their staff wonder if they’ve gone off the deep end

§         are taking motorcycle lessons

§         has led several retreat since our last one

§         is in Myrtle Beach as I type this

§         still can’t figure out how/why they’re on The Journey

 ...and really…that’s just scratching the surface.

 So, see the link in the upper left-hand corner for info about our retreat.

 In addition to that information, also consider the following offer to encourage your Spring Cleaning:

 Now is the time to clean some more stuff out of your office and home.  Please bring any professional materials or resources that you would like to offer up to the rest of us for free: the books you don’t read, the leftover t-shirts from camp, the resource materials you no longer look at, that priceless Monet you’re tired of looking at on your wall, all that extra and left-over stuff we might be willing to take off your hands because it’s NEW to us, but old and in the way to you.  We’ll put together a big area of all our stuff, and first come, first take.

 Remember to check your email the day before our retreat for last minute details and contact info.  And, as always, don't hesitate to email or call with any questions or concerns.

 Kindly,

 Tom, Janet and Joy

Renewal Team #6

 

Micah Maxwell (President -Diamond Crest), Jenny Wyrick (Director - Professional Development Center, AYS), Erika Stallworth (Director - Juvenile Services Center), Marty Pastura (CEO - YMCA - Ft. Wayne), Terrie Decker (Director - DCS of Greene County)

Renewal Team #5

 

Christine McAfee (Monroe County Juvenile Probation Supervisor), Terry McBride, (Director - Michiana Youth Ministries), Terry Bley (Pastor of Life Development, Nappanee Missionary Church), Anne Hunte (Outpatient Branch Director, Wabash Valley Hospital), Bonnie Strycker (Director, Youth Services Bureau of St. Joseph County)

Post Retreat

A few items for everyone

- I've updated the email distribution list, so if you respond to an email to reply to all, make sure it is the most recent one

- I've added pictures (see the 2010 Trailblazers - that's you - in the Facebook list in the lefthand column)

- Also, Renewal Team pictures are on one page in the links section to the left

- The link I sent you to the photos did not enable you to add your own pictures.  Please email me if you want to add photos to the gallery

- If I get the time, I'll post the renewal team schedules here as well...otherwise you should have them via email or our first call / meeting

Questions, Answers, Weather and Travel

Hello Journey Fellows,

 Thanks for your questions. 

 A reminder…a fellowship information page is located here  http://renewal.typepad.com/2010_fellows/

 In the meantime, a few FAQ from you:

 Q: What’s the dress? 

A: Casual, yes this means jeans or shorts.  I will be packing slippers / comfortable shoes and sweats too.  We will have the place to ourselves, so think “lodge” instead of “hotel”

 Q: Can I watch the (fill in favorite sports team / TV show) while I’m there?

A: There are no televisions at Waycross.  However, there IS internet access.  So, HULU away or stream video as needed.

 Q: Do I need to bring a notebook?

A:  No, unless you have a journal or notebook you really like to use.  We will provide stuff to write on.  Bring your favorite pen.

 Q: Will we have our own rooms?

A:  YES.  It’s important that you’re able to have your own space to rest and relax.  You’ll see the rest of us enough.

The rooms are very basic at Waycross, including beds with linens and blankets, private baths, etc.  I do suggest you bring your own toiletries.

 Q: Can we bring our laptops, books, knitting?

A: Yes.  I encourage you to bring anything that might help you relax.

 Q: What are the times again?

A:  We start at 10am on the first day (Tuesday) and will be done NO LATER than 3pm on the third day (Thursday)

 

Special Notes about travel and weather:

 >  Regardless of your travel direction, I highly encourage you to travel a route that keeps you on State roads as long as possible (all the way to SR 45).  In particular, I encourage folks traveling from or through Indy to take the route I have put on the map at this link:

View Larger Map

 

About the last leg of your travel.  The last road is pretty winding AND  you’ll know you’re on the right path if you pass  Lutheran Hills Camp.  When you near Waycross, the road becomes gravel.  There are several “entrances.”  Turn right when you get to the CONFERENCE CENTER (look for the flagpole and circular drive)   IF you get lost, call Waycross at 800-786-2267

  > As I type this, snow has been falling in Indy, and I see that snow is expected on Monday night and Tuesday.  But we all know how that is:  We’ll see.

 

IF weather is making it harder for travel, visit the website listed above for any updates from us.  We are unlikely to cancel, just likely to delay if we have to.   Safety is important, so travel smart.

 Remember, if you must reach us, on Monday afternoon / night, please email me or call Waycross directly.  We will likely NOT have cell service.

 Still looking forward to our time together in winter.

 

Tom

 

Anticipating Our First Group Retreat

 
2006 Journey Fellows - January at Waycross

Greetings Journey Fellows,

First, another note of congratulations!  Congrats for what?  Well, you did manage to find time to get nominated, beat procrastination and fill out an application, and get selected for The 2010 Executive Journey Fellowship.  That's a lot.
 
Perhaps you're asking yourself:  What have I gotten myself into with this Journey thing?  (I think that's a great question to ask).
 
And even though I don't know the details that will be true for you (you'll be on your own Journey, so to speak)...
 
I can say from over eight years of experience with Journey fellows...the probability is extraordinarily high that 2010 WILL BE A PHENOMENAL YEAR FOR YOU!

Here are a few explanations and suggestions about The Journey you might find helpful:

• As you continue to plan and schedule for 2010, a gentle reminder to make sure that all of our retreat dates are on your calendar.  You can find them on the program brochure, at www.thejourneyonline.org or on the form you signed indicating your commitment.  February 9-10-11 is our first retreat.  Of course, remember to allow for travel and transition time before and after each retreat. 
• Courtney Stepp, The Journey Coordinator will be emailing you to ask about some of your personal preferences.  Anytime the Journey Coordinator asks for anything, know that it is important for our planning purposes and our desire to have your retreat experiences be good ones.

• You've already begun to receive our weekly "Connections" email.  We send it most every Friday to the entire Journey community.

• In the interest of scaring people over the age of 25: we currently have a group on facebook for your group:  The 2010 Executive Journey Fellowship.   If you are already on facebook, please join.  If you haven't joined facebook yet, but can see the future coming...we encourage you to join the rest of us who are learning about social networking and using facebook to stay in touch on behalf of ourselves and young people.  It really is easy to join. 

• If you have aggressive email filters in place, please make sure that the email addresses tom, courtney and janet all @thejourneyonline.org are able to get to you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly (or call me).  You will be hearing from us again before our first time together in February. 
 
On behalf of Janet and Courtney too, I hope the rest of your month is filled with meaningful work and people who love you.

Kindly,
 
Tom Plake
Chief Experience Officer
The Journey